Just one more night until the athletes get on and compete at the Winter Triathlon World Championships in Sjusjoen, Norway. Most of the big guns are present to try to steal the title from current World Champions Sigrid Lang (Germany) and Sigi Bauer (Austria).

Most of the athletes arrived earlier this week in order to prepare properly for this year’s biggest event in Winter Triathlon. Excellent snow conditions and clear, cold weather welcomed the competitors, who took the opportunity to train on the course every day.

A great venue has been set up for tomorrow’s race, as Kare J. Grotta, the Norwegian National Federation president told the athletes at today’s opening ceremony.

Many of the athletes will try to reach for the Winter Triathlon crown tomorrow: Sigrid Lang will surely do her best to stay on the throne. Marianne Vlasveld (NED) rejoined the ITU Winter Triathlon World Cup circuit in Liechtenstein and she was preparing herself in Norway for the whole last week. Camilla Hott Johansen (NOR) can be the local favourite to watch and Sarka Grabmüllerova (CZE) has capability also to go for the gold. World Cup winner in Valberg, Jutta Schubert from Germany will also make her best to have a good results.

Although current champ Sigi Bauer is ready to defend his title tomorrow, there are plenty of candidates for gold: European Champion Alf Roger Holme and the World Cup winner in Freudenstadt Arne Post (both from Norway), World Cup leader and the winner in Valberg and Liechtenstein Daniel Antonioli. The strong German team is lead by Stefan Frank, but it will be very interesting to see 2003 World and European Champion Bejnamin Sontag performance after a long break since 2003. Two cross-country ski Olympian joined the strong Norwegian team for Sjusjoen: the biggest name is former cross-country ski world champion, Anders Aukland, but John Anders Gaustad will be also the athlete to follow on Saturday.

So watch out for tomorrow’s competition, the greatest event of Winter Triathlon in 2006. (press release and pictures on www.triathlon.org)